Sheriff Meyer Gilbert is leading the department until the end of this year. Gilbert was appointed last month to replace two-term Sheriff Kelly Cradduck, who stepped down after internal controversy and legal charges. Gilbert briefed the Benton County Quorum Court members Thursday night about the changes.

"On the jail side we resolved and combined the disciplinary Sergeant position and created a jail investigator," Gilbert said. "The jail investigator is manned by a seasoned criminal investigator that leads to the prosecution of all criminal internal matters within the jail."

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Gilbert told the Quorum Court the department's basic employee police book hasn't been updated since 2007, another project he will tackle. Sheriff Gilbert says he is also working on improving relationships with important law enforcement partners. "We're sending a deputy to be a member of the ICAC, which is an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. We are sending a deputy to be reassigned to the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force."

Meyer says he has scheduled a meeting with the FBI so Benton County will be a part of the area "Regional Gang Task Force." He also reintroduced Shawn Holloway to the justices. Holloway recently rejoined the Sheriff's Department and was named Chief Deputy.

Holloway won the Republican primary in the Sheriff's race, and will be on the ballot in November against Independent candidate Glenn Latham.